Chapter 10
It had been raining for days. Holidee had been trapped inside by the weather, and she hated it. There was nothing to do in the house. She felt like a caged animal. She wanted to be free. She wanted to go to the ocean. It was calling her.
Because of the weather, Tom and Zeke hadn’t visited in a couple days. Holidee was sitting by her window in her bedroom. Crix walked into her room.
“You look miserable.” He walked over to her. She kept staring out the window that had raindrops racing down it. He put his hand on her shoulder. “Holidee?”
“I hate this weather. I want to go to the ocean, but this rain will never stop.”
“Oh, it’ll stop eventually.” Crix smiled, but saw Holidee still looking out the window. “Do you want to do another lesson?” Holidee turned around and looked up at Crix.
“What?”
“Do you want to continue our lessons?”
“In here?”
“No, in the study. Where Micrip’s tank is.” Crix looked at her. Holidee was thinking. “C’mon. I’ll teach you how to grow plants and strengthen life.”
“Okay.” Holidee got up and followed Crix down the stairs to the study. Once in the room, Crix turned on the lights and shut the door. He started telling her about the different kinds of plants and why they were useful. He told her how to grow them, heal them, and nurture them. He reached into Micrip’s tank and pulled out a plant. He asked Holidee to identify it, tell him what it was good for, and had her study it.
“Look at its root, its leaves, its stem. Know every detail about this plant and every plant that lives and thrives in the ocean. Once you know every detail about every plant, then you can grow, heal, and nurture them. Until then, though, I’ll help you with one plant at a time.” Holidee walked over to Crix. Crix handed her the plant he was holding, and put his hands over hers. He led her hands into the tank. Holidee’s hands touched the bottom, where tiny pebbles and sand lay. Crix buried the plant halfway in the sand. He closed his eyes as he talked to Holidee. “Holidee, you must feel the plant. Feel life in it. And if you don’t feel life in it, then you must put life into it.” Holidee closed her eyes and tried to feel the life in the plant she was holding. Nothing. She was about to give up when she felt something in her hands. It felt like a tiny heartbeat. It couldn’t be. Plants don’t have heartbeats. She tried to listen closer. It couldn’t be anything else but a heartbeat. Crix’ hands helped her. He put them over her hands and started healing. She felt it go through her hands. She knew what to do then. She pushed the energy from her hands into the plant. She felt it gain strength. Its pulse got faster. She felt its roots get longer and stretch out as far as they could. Its roots sank into the sand. After a few minutes, the plant had grown about three more inches. Holidee opened her eyes and looked at Crix. He smiled at her. They let go of the plant and wiped their hands off on a towel. As Crix was drying his hands, Holidee asked him something that had been on her mind for quite some time.
“Crix, are all Oceains taught like this? I mean are they taught by their parents?”
“Yes.” Crix set the towel down. “How else would they be taught?”
“I don’t know. I thought maybe they went to a school somewhere and were taught there.” Crix looked at Holidee and then sat down in a chair.
“Well, there’re probably not enough Oceains to fill a school. And even if there were, where’re they gonna put the school? It’s a good idea, Holidee, but I don’t think it’d work.”
“I think it could.” Crix raised an eyebrow at her.
“Are you thinking about opening up a school for Oceains?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. Not now, but maybe in a few years.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. And I could be a teacher there.” Crix smiled. “But you do have a ways to go yet.”
“Yeah, I know.” Holidee looked into Micrip’s tank. “Crix, how long will it take me to learn everything that I need to learn?”
“Well, for most Oceains, it takes two years, but for you, by the end of next summer. You’ll learn everything that I know before school starts. Then you’ll have to learn the little things by yourself. It won’t be hard. Remember, you’re the last true Oceain, which means you will be stronger than everyone. You pick up on things ten times faster than anyone else. You’ll be stronger than me in no time.” Crix smiled at Holidee. “Hey, you know, you can go help Mer.”
“With what?”
“She’s planning the wedding. It’ll be in a couple weeks. It’s gonna be small. We both wanted a small wedding. And it’s gonna be on the beach. This beach. Just like you said.” Holidee smiled at him.
“Yeah, I think I will go help Mer. After I spend some time with Micrip.”
“Okay. I’ll leave you alone with your little friend.” Crix got up and headed toward the door. Then he stopped and looked back at Holidee. “Holidee?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you know how to heal animals?” Holidee thought for a moment.
“It’s not much different than healing plants or people, right?”
“Right, but you still may want to practice. You can go to the ocean in the rain, you know. I used to love to do that. And if or when you find a sick or hurt sea creature, bring it back to the house and put it in this tank. That’s what I made it for. Think of it as your healing tank.” Then Crix turned and walked out of the study. Holidee was left alone with Micrip, who was joyfully jumping and swimming in his tank. He had grown quite a bit, because of the food and help Holidee gave him. He was now the size that he should be. He was well nurtured.
After an hour of playing with Micrip, Holidee left the study to go find Mer. Holidee found her in the living room, looking through wedding magazines. Holidee sat down on the couch beside her.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Do you want to help me with the wedding plans?”
“Sure.”
“We want a small wedding. On the beach. Here. So that your parents can watch.” Mer smiled at Holidee. Holidee smiled back and picked up a magazine. She flipped through it while Mer continued talking. “When your mother was planning her wedding, I helped her. It was so much fun. I was her maid of honor. And, you know, I was thinking…” Holidee looked up at Mer. “…maybe you could be my maid of honor.”
“Really? You want me to be your maid of honor?”
“Well, only if you want t-”
“Of course I’ll be your maid of honor! I would love to be!” Mer smiled at Holidee.
“I’m glad.”
“Me too.” Holidee and Mer went back to looking at the magazine. “I like this one.”
“Are you sure it’s not too much?”
“Well, maybe for a beach wedding. Hmm…what about this one?”
“No…I don’t think so. What about this one?”
“Too long. This one?”
“Too short.” The two girls sat looking at dresses and gowns. Neither saw one that they both liked. Then Holidee thought of something.
“Hang on. I’ll be right back.” She ran upstairs to her bedroom. She grabbed something out of the closet and ran back down the stairs. Holidee made sure Crix wasn’t around and then she looked at Mer. “I found this a few days ago. I think it was my mom’s. It’s perfect for you, and she’d’ve wanted you to wear it.” Holidee pulled a white, silk dress out of a bag. It was sleeveless and not too long. It shimmered in the light. It was simple with a little lace and pearls on it. It was beautiful.
“Oh, Holidee, I love it!” Mer stood up and put the dress against her and looked in a mirror. She twirled around with it and smiled. “You really think I should wear it?”
“Yeah. I do. You’d be beautiful in it.” Mer smiled and hugged Holidee.
“Thanks. Now all we need to do is find you a dress, Crix a best man, and something for Crix to wear. He doesn’t want to wear a tux.”
“No tux, huh? He’d look good in a loose white shirt that had baggy arms. And maybe loose white
pants…or semi-loose black pants…I don’t know. We’ll have to see.” Mer put the dress back in the bag and hung it up. Holidee looked at Mer. “He needs a best man?”
“Yep. I do.” Mer and Holidee turned to see Crix leaning in the doorway. “Any ideas?” He smiled. Mer and Holidee looked at each other.
“No.” Crix thought for a moment.
“Do I really need a best man?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll think of something.”
“So when is your wedding?”
“Soon. We have to do it before summer break ends, so it’s gonna have to be in a few weeks or less. Does that seem too soon?” Mer looked at Holidee for advice.
“No. You guys have waited for years to get married. If anything, a few weeks is too long.” Holidee walked toward the door. “I’m gonna go outside for a bit.” Mer looked at Crix.
“But it’s raining. You’ll get sick.” Crix put his arm around Mer’s waist.
“She’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Then he turned to Holidee. “You go and have fun. Just be careful.” Holidee nodded and left. She walked onto the porch and looked out over the yard. Rain was pouring down so fast; it looked like a blanket of water. Holidee slowly took one step at a time. When she stepped onto the last step, droplets of rain hit the top of her head. Holidee stepped off of the step and into a puddle that reached up to her ankle. She looked up toward the sky and smiled. The rain hit her face. Her hair was drenched. Her clothes were drenched and clung to her body. Holidee laughed and spun around in circles with her arms out. Then she looked toward the beach. She ran to the sand and stopped when her feet hit the wet beach. She walked to the water and knelt down beside it.
Fye?
A fin appeared and Fye’s head popped out of the water. Holidee walked into the water and placed her hand on her hand. She stroked her gently.
Hey, Fye.
Fye made a couple clicking sounds and turned on her side. The rain poured down on both of them.
What are you doing out in this weather?
I could ask you the same question.
Yes, but I live in the ocean. You don’t.
True, but the ocean is just as much my home as it is yours.
Why don’t you come swim for a bit? The water’s not too rough.
No, thanks. I’d rather stay on land this time.
Okay. You’re the one missing out.
That’s okay. I’ll deal with it.
Okay. Fye started to swim away. Oh! Your friend, the boy with the dark hair and cloth around his head, he’s on the beach down a ways. Thought you might want to know.
Thanks! Bye, Fye!
Fye swam back into the deep and disappeared. Holidee looked down the beach but couldn’t see anything through the thick blanket of rain. She started walking down the beach. She walked for ten minutes, before she saw an outline of someone, sitting on the beach, looking out at the ocean. Holidee walked closer. She didn’t want him to see her, though. She walked up behind him and stopped.
“You’re about as crazy as I am.” Tom turned around and looked up at the soaked Holidee.
“What are you doing out here?”
“What are you doing out here?”
“I mean all the way down here. Your house is about fifteen minutes that way.” Tom pointed from where Holidee came from. Holidee looked and then turned back to Tom.
“Ten.” She knelt down next to Tom and sat on the wet sand. “Fye told me you were out here.”
“Fye?”
“Yeah. She said my friend with the dark hair and cloth around his head was on the beach down this way.” Tom laughed.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. So why are you out here?”
“Why are you?”
“Because I couldn’t stand being locked up in that house any longer. It was driving me crazy.”
“Same here. The ocean calls me.” Holidee looked over at Tom.
“It calls you?”
“Yeah. Does that sound weird?” Tom looked at Holidee.
“No. I mean not to me, but you’re not…well…you’re not an Oceain. I am. So naturally it calls me. But you? Yeah, for you it’s kinda weird.”
“Oh. So the ocean calls you?”
“All the time.”
“But it shouldn’t call me?”
“You’re not an Oceain.”
“But it does.”
“Weird.”
“Yeah, weird.” They both kept quiet for a few minutes, until Holidee spoke up.
“Tom?” Tom rotated his head to look at her. “School’ll be starting at the end of the month, and I was just wondering…well…”
“Just tell me. What is it?”
“Well, when school starts, are you and Zeke just gonna go back to your groups and other friends and forget about me?” Tom looked at Holidee, surprised.
“No. Why would we do that?” He smiled. “Holidee, we’re not your typical guys. We’re actually pretty nice and occasionally sweet.” Tom smiled again. “Zeke may be popular, but I’m not. We are friends. I’m not friends with the other football players and things. He’s not either, really. He talks with them, but they’re not really his ‘friends’. He doesn’t go over to their houses, and, frankly, he doesn’t want to. Zeke became popular because he’s a good-looking guy, he’s a really good football player- the quarterback-and he’s nice. But abandoning a friend, he’d never do. And neither would I. You’re our friend. And as far as I can tell, you’re staying around for quite some time.” Holidee smiled at Tom.
“But, you guys won’t be afraid to be seen with me?”
“No. We don’t care what other people think. They can talk all they want. We won’t see half of them in two years anyway. So don’t worry about it, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks, Tom.” Holidee stood up. Rain still poured down on her. Tom got up too.
“Where’re you going?”
“I should be getting back home. Crix and Mer might be worried about me.”
“Oh, well, did you want me to walk you home?” Holidee smiled.
“No, I can take care of myself.” Tom laughed.
“I’m sure you can, but I always have to ask.”
“I know.” Tom grabbed Holidee’s hand and kissed it in the rain.
“Well, good-bye.” Holidee looked up into Tom’s eyes after he stood up. He was so nice. He was so mysterious. What was his story? If he had one. Holidee smiled and leaned into him. She planted a soft kiss on his cheek. She looked at him. Their faces were close. Very close. Rain dripped down their skin. Tom pushed Holidee’s hair out of her face. His hand stayed by her face. Holidee did the same. She placed her hand on Tom’s cheek. They both leaned in until their lips touched gently. Holidee ran her hand through his hair. The kiss deepened a little, but then Tom pulled away. Both of their hearts were racing. Holidee touched his hair again. He closed his eyes as she came in closer to him. Then he backed away.
“No. I can’t. Zeke likes you too much.” Holidee narrowed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” Holidee looked at Tom.
“He what?”
“Likes you. A lot. I shouldn’t be telling you this.” Tom looked around and then back at Holidee. “He just doesn’t want to screw up so he’s takin’ it slow. He hasn’t built up his courage yet.”
“Oh.” Holidee looked down at the wet sand. Tom walked over to her and lifted her chin.
“I’m sorry. You don’t want to be with me, anyway. I’m a mess. Zeke sometimes can’t even clean me up.” Holidee looked into his eyes again. Those deep, brown eyes stared back at her.
“I’d know if you opened up a little, but you don’t.” Tom sighed aloud.
“I can’t. I don’t want to. It’s too hard.”
“I could help you. Trust me, Tom. I could help you.” Tom looked into her bright ocean eyes. Then he turned away from her.
“No. It would only get you involved. That’s the last thing I want. Zeke’s involved and I wish he was
n’t, but it happened. It happened because he became my friend…and I don’t want you to get sucked in also.”
“Well, it’s too late for that. I’m your friend no matter what now.” Tom looked at her and smiled.
“I guess so. I’ll see you around, Holidee. You take care of yourself.” Holidee smiled back at him.
“I will. It’s you that had better take care of yourself. See ya Tom.” Then Holidee walked away from Tom and down the beach toward her house. Tom watched her until the outline of her body disappeared in the curtain of rain. Tom looked down at the wet sand, sat down, and looked out into the ocean. Only he and his thoughts were with him.